Canada

Endless expanses of land, days of driving and, at last, a larger range products to choose from in the supermarkets

date of entry 16/08/1999

mileage 272,400

capital Ottawa

area 9.984.670 km²

population 35.158.304

GDP 1.736 Bill. US-Dollar

official language English/French

Canada feels much closer to Europe than does the USA, Gunther Holtorf thinks. Together with his wife Christine, he travelled extensively across the country from east to west. Coming from the United States, the Holtorfs were delighted by the wide choice in the bakeries and in the supermarkets’ cheese sections, especially in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

The border between the USA and Canada runs straight through the Niagara River. The better view of the famous Niagara Falls is to be had from the Canadian side in the province of Ontario.

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Endless expanses: Gunther Holtorf was able to let Otto roll along the roads for days on end.

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To this day, cabins are still built in the traditional style from tree trunks. Canada has no shortage of wood.

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A photo stop for a dirty Otto: From the Saint Lawrence River, the journey continued northwards to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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An amusing collection of signs by the roadside. It may have been the work of one globetrotter, or perhaps several: some of the signs came from Germany.

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The maple leaf: this red, oak-like leaf is Canada’s national symbol and is also found on the country’s flag.

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Elk antlers: a hunter had evidently piled up his trophies here.

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The red of these bushes reminded the Holtorfs of German heathland scenery.

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A fishing village on the coast. As a former airline employee, Gunther Holtorf took an interest during this trip in Goose Bay and Gander, both of which were alternate airfields for early transatlantic flights if the fuel tank was down to reserve or the engines failed.

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Otto outside a bed-and-breakfast establishment: when it turned cold, Gunther and Christine allowed themselves the luxury of a warm bedroom.